Sarno da Costa D’Aniello Maceri Webb LLC Congratulates Dennis M. Donnelly, Esq. on His Achievement of the 2026 Gerald B. O’Connor Trial Lawyer Award by the New Jersey Association for Justice
The Firm congratulates Dennis M. Donnelly, Esq., Of Counsel, on being an award recipient of the Gerald B. O’Connor Trial Lawyer Award issued by The New Jersey Association for Justice at its 9th Annual Awards Dinner at The Palace at Somerset Park in Somerset, NJ on February 26, 2026.
The Gerald B. O’Connor Trial Lawyer Award was created by the New Jersey Association for Justice’s Board of Governors to honor the memory of renowned trial lawyer, Gerald B. O’Connor. The award is presented to veterans, current or former members of the New Jersey Association for Justice who, similarly to Gerald B. O’Connor, have had a stellar legal career and exhibit the skill, creativity, and professionalism demanded as a trial attorney.
For over 40 years, Dennis has built his medical malpractice and personal injury practice throughout New Jersey specializing in product liability, birth injuries, automotive accidents, and medical negligence. Dennis has earned numerous million and multimillion-dollar results on behalf of his clients who were severely injured due to the negligence of another person, company, or entity.
In 2025, Dennis represented his client who crashed into a guardrail while experiencing stroke symptoms. The state trooper who approached Dennis’ client failed to recognize the signs of the stroke and arrested her for driving while intoxicated, causing a two-hour delay in her diagnosis and treatment. As a result, the client now struggles with speech and comprehension. Dennis secured a gross $19.1 million verdict for this case, which was reduced to approximately $11.4 million to account for the damage from the preexisting stroke that occurred.
The New Jersey Association for Justice is a statewide association of over 2,500 members in private practice and public service, paralegals, law clerks, law students and law school graduates not yet admitted to the bar. Founded in the late 1940’s and incorporated in 1976, the New Jersey Association for Justice is dedicated to protecting New Jersey families by working to preserve and strengthen the laws for safer products and workplaces, a cleaner environment and quality health care.
*The NJAJ Board of Governors created the Gerald B. O’Connor Trial Lawyer Award to honor the memory of Gerald B. O’Connor, who was an extraordinary trial lawyer who earned the respect of colleagues and adversaries alike for his brilliant skill and professionalism as well as his humanity.
The award is presented to veteran current or former NJAJ members who, like Gerald B. O’Connor, have had a stellar legal career and have exhibited exemplary skill, creativity, and professionalism as a trial attorney.*
